Marital quality in kidney transplant recipients: easy to predict, hard to neglect

Given the significant role of post-renal transplant familial support in the patient's adherence to treatment, a study into the contributors to marital quality in this population seems necessary. This study sought to identify the predictors of poor post-renal transplant marital quality.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2006 on 125 married kidney transplant recipients. Marital quality was evaluated using the Revised Marital Adjustment Scale (RMAS). A score below the fourth-quartile MAS score of a group of age- and sex- matched healthy controls was interpreted as poor marital relationship. Multiple logistic regression analysis was utilized to evaluate the predictors of poor marital relationship.

The mean time interval between transplantation and assessment of marital quality was 43 +/- 15 months. Poor post-renal transplant marital quality can be predicted by the kidney transplant recipient's sex (M/F) (odds ratio [OR]; 0.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.11 to 0.90; P=.031), age at transplantation (OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.89 to 0.98; P=.005), educational level (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.44 to 1.03; P=.067), and monthly family income (OR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.09 to 4.44; P=.028).

Presenting a simple prediction model for poor post-renal transplant marital relationship, this study will make it possible to detect patients at a higher risk of poor marital quality and thus avoid treatment noncompliance. At the time of transplantation, using simple demographic variables and providing couple-based health education programs as a part of a familial approach to renal transplantation may improve the outcome of such high-risk patients.